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Topic Review (Newest First)

06-23-2013 09:42 PM

BOBCRMAN@aol.com

7.3 all the way. Good basic design that lasts.. 6.2-6.5 crack heads with regularity..

06-23-2013 09:22 PM

eighty2Bbody

I had a 96 chevy 2500 with a 6.5 turbo diesel, I sold it to a guy and it had 300,000 miles on it. It wont make as much power as a 7.3 but the 6.5's are very reliable and my got 25 mpg all the time. If you want to piss everyone off and build a diesel truck that dumps black smoke like crazy then get a 7.3, 6.5's cant handle running rich like that for long. If you want something that gets good fuel mileage and is an all around good work truck a 6.5 is great. The 6.5 was never meant to be a power house engine just a super economical and reliable option to the 305 and 350 engines. They still produce them today for military vehicles, that has to say something for them.

06-23-2013 12:23 AM

vinniekq2

Its all about the fuel management in diesels.The blocks/cranks/rods are all pretty good

06-22-2013 09:37 PM

Moedog07

I have a 2002 F350 7.3 with 120k miles. No problems, no issues great engine. Also it's a 6 speed, seems like the automatics need rebuilding every 100,000 miles when used in these trucks.

06-22-2013 09:35 PM

rdupree

I just sold my 1999 Ford 7.3 with 170k miles on it. The only parts replaced were (several) glow plug relays and a starter. Still did not burn a drop of oil when I sold it. The 7.3 made the reputation for dependable pickup diesels, something that the later Ford/Navistar engines could not live up to.

06-22-2013 09:13 PM

Irelands child

Aside from the fact both are obsolete, the 7.3 Ford will probably go down as the single best light truck diesel of that time frame along with the Cummins. The 6.5 was a dog

06-22-2013 09:11 PM

carolinacustoms

Never owned a 6.2 or 6.5, but I have a 1994 7.3 powerstroke with 327,000 +/- miles with no major issues. Only thing replaced since mile 1 are high pressure oil lines, high pressure oil pump (replaced around 315,000 due to a leak in the casing, truck still ran fine) and recently replaced the clutch (for the second time). This truck has a little bit easier life than it used to, but the first 285-290,000 miles were pulling a new holland skid steer, 5-6 days a week.

06-22-2013 06:29 PM

cliff tate

6.5 gm diesel

owned 1 in 64 worst diesel ever made,no power very litle boost had 5 fuel inj pumps in 1st year,dealer eventually took it back.frend and customer had 5 in his loging camp 2 broke wristpins,dealer took all 5 back(lucky for him they wher leased.fuel pump isues wher inproved with various cooling trys for prm. a electrical friend moved the prm to fire wall and claims no more problem. still a dog tho but does not leave him road side.

06-22-2013 05:23 PM

matt167

The Ford was a better motor by far. Designed and built by International. The GM 6.2/6.5 Detroit was an ok motor. The pre 1995 models were the most reliable because the electronic PMD's were known to overheat and go bad.. The 6.2 was a diesel equivalent to a gas 305, and the 6.5 with the turbo, was more suited to replace the 350... If you keep a 6.2/6.5 stock and in good maint, they will last forever... The 7.3 has been known to belch black smoke when the injectors need a tune up but other than that, they are solid and reliable.

06-22-2013 04:05 PM

MSP079

GMC 6.5L Turbo Diesel vs Ford 7.3L Turbo Diesel???

I have been hearing alot of debate on which is a better motor and more reliable and horsepower and such...I would like to get your guys opinion on the topic and explain why? Thanks for the feedback